Charles "Chuck" Lightfoot

Year Inducted: 2007

Charles “Chuck” Lightfoot was born October 2, 1946 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry from Michigan Tech in 1969. He retired from the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 2002.

Chuck became involved with the game of soccer because he and his wife, Pat enrolled their daughter in the AYSO soccer program in Port Huron when that program was in its infancy. Right away he recognized the need for referees in the program so he took the AYSO Soccer Refereeing Course in 1982. In 1983, he became the assistant referee-in-chief and in 1984 he became regional referee-in-chief, the region being primarily St. Clair County.

For the next eight years he held that position, refereeing hundreds of soccer games, all as a volunteer. For many weeks he would referee as many as two games per day for each of the five days.

During the same period he also served on the Board of Directors of the Port Huron soccer program during the time they were looking for a “home” for games. AYSO does not allow ownership of property, so publicly owned land had to be secured. After many hours, days and weeks of looking, talking and going to many meetings, the property owned by the Parks Commission of the Chartered Township of Port Huron at the end of Beach Road was secured. With the help of a huge number of volunteers from all walks of life and donations of money and earth moving equipment, the fields were leveled, graded and planted and parking areas were created and the soccer fields which now bear his name became a reality.

Chuck is still engaged in AYSO soccer and is an AYSO referee trainer.